Selwood’s plant specialists provided a robust and environmentally-friendly solution for major coastal flood defence works in Devon.

The £1.3m scheme in Teignmouth involved the repair, renewal and strengthening of the sea defence structure at The Point to provide protection for up to 400 homes and businesses in the town. (Read More)

Given the site’s proximity to protected coastline, any equipment supplied for the project had to be compliant with strict Environment Agency regulations to avoid contamination. The client Teignmouth Maritime Services (TMS) required a solution that met the stringent environmental requirements of the location as well as the demands of working in a confined area.Working closely with Selwood’s expert plant hire team, the 5T Yanmar zero tail excavators were selected for the application. The use of bio oil, which is biodegradable and hence more environmentally sound in the unlikely event of a spill, was the ideal solution for the site’s specific needs. The zero tail feature met the site’s access demands, without sacrificing stability and performance.

Two excavators were supplied and were used for the duration of the project from March to September last year. The project involved the installation of 72 steel sheet piles and filling large areas with structural concrete.

Terry Clark, branch manager at Selwood’s branch in Bittern Road, Exeter, said: “We were pleased to be able to provide our client with high-performance plant equipment that gave them 100% reassurance with regards to the environmental sensitivities of the site.

“We pride ourselves on our depth of technical expertise and offering the complete plant package, so the fact we had a branch locally was a major positive to our client for follow-up queries and any parts or repairs needed throughout the duration of the project.

“We are delighted to have played our part in a scheme that will protect so many homes and businesses from flooding.”

Selwood has over 70 years of experience in the plant industry. The company has an extensive fleet of plant available for hire or sale from its network of regional branches across England and Wales. Its teams pride themselves on an unrivalled depth of technical expertise, exceptional customer service and product knowledge.